Developing imaging-informed methods to investigate human shoulder joint function

About the Project

3.5 year full time PhD

This PhD studentship offers an exciting opportunity to join the EPSRC-funded project “Multi-platform pipeline for engineering human shoulder joint function focussed on developing new methods to understand how the human shoulder works in health, instability and joint replacement.

The project is based at Cardiff University and is part of a major joint-funded collaboration involving Imperial College London, alongside international partners in Belgium and the USA. It also benefits from having both clinical and industry investigators and partners. It sits within a world-leading research environment spanning medical imaging, computational modelling and experimental biomechanics.

Shoulder pain and dysfunction are highly prevalent and place a substantial burden on patients and healthcare services. Despite increasing use of surgical interventions, including shoulder arthroplasty, outcomes remain variable and difficult to predict. Compared with the hip and knee, the shoulder presents a particularly challenging biomechanical problem because function depends on complex interactions between bone geometry, soft tissues and muscle coordination. The EPSRC ENGIN Shoulder project addresses this challenge through a unique multi-platform pipeline spanning in-vivo dynamic biplane X-ray imaging, musculoskeletal modelling, and robot-driven cadaveric testing.

The successful candidate will join the project at an exciting stage and help shape an engineering and healthcare technology-focused doctoral programme aligned with the wider objectives of the EPSRC shoulder grant. The focus will evolve during the initial phase to align with the student’s interests, expertise, and project priorities, offering a strong strategic framework and opportunities to work alongside engineers and clinicians to develop clinically driven research questions, paving the way for innovative and novel treatment pathways.

At Cardiff University, the student will be based within the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility, which houses the UK’s only dynamic biplane X-ray facility integrated with motion capture and electromyography, alongside access to advanced imaging and established musculoskeletal biomechanics expertise. The student will work as part of a highly interdisciplinary team spanning engineering, clinical orthopaedics, imaging and computational biomechanics, with opportunities to engage with collaborators across the UK and internationally.

During the PhD, the student will receive training including imaging and image analysis, biomechanics experimentation, computer modelling, coding in MATLAB or Python, and quantitative data analysis. The project is expected to generate new knowledge and tools relevant to shoulder biomechanics and to support longer-term advances in stratified treatment, surgical planning, implant evaluation and rehabilitation. As part of a major EPSRC programme, the studentship will also provide an excellent environment for collaboration, publication and career development.

Research Environment

This studentship is part of an international collaboration between Cardiff University, Imperial College London, the University of Utah, the University of Florida, and the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The successful applicant will be based at the world-leading Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility (MSKBRF) at Cardiff University, joining a highly active and internationally connected research team. They will have regular supervisory meetings and work alongside other PhD and postdoctoral researchers within the team and the School of Engineering, providing strong networking opportunities and a supportive research environment.

Learning and Development Opportunities

Training throughout the PhD will focus on developing the necessary skills to complete the PhD as well as transferable skills that will be of benefit within the wider engineering community.

This studentship provides opportunities to work with NHS patients and healthy volunteers, collaborating with engineers and clinicians to support the development of novel healthcare technologies. Training in Responsible Research and Innovation, research governance, ethical practice, and Patient and Public Involvement will ensure the student’s research is conducted to the highest standards and informed by real-world perspectives.

Additional support will cover experimental design, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration within engineering and healthcare technology.

Academic Criteria

Candidates should hold a good bachelor’s degree (first or upper second-class honours degree) or a MSc/MEng degree in an area of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or other relevant areas.

Knowledge of musculoskeletal biomechanics is desired. Previous laboratory or field experience, MATLAB/Python coding and an interest in applying this technology to the field of biomechanics to understand joint function would be advantageous.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)

Contact for further information

Please contact Dr Williams or Prof Holt to informally discuss this opportunity

How to apply

Applicants should submit an application for postgraduate study via the Cardiff University webpages (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/engineering) including;

• an upload of your CV
• a personal statement/covering letter
• two references (applicants are recommended to have a third academic referee, if the two academic referees are within the same department/school)
• Current academic transcripts

Applicants should select Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), with a start date of October 2026.

In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project and copy the project description in the text box provided. In the funding section, please select "I will be applying for a scholarship / grant" and specify that you are applying for advertised funding, reference CH JOINT 26

Deadline for applications

31st May 2026. We may however close this opportunity earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.

Funding Notes

Amount of Funding

Tuition fees at the home/EU rate (£5,006 in 2025/6) and an annual stipend equivalent to current Research Council rates (£20,780 stipend for academic year 2025/6), plus support for travel/conferences/consumables.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a full award a Student must have no restrictions on how long they can stay in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of the Studentship. Funding is currently available to Home applicants on a full time basis.